Page 38 of Renewal After Dark

“Right.” She rolled her eyes. “The only reason I survived the hurricane is because Blaine rescued me. Who knows what would’ve become of us if he hadn’t come along when he did?”

“You would’ve figured out something. But anyway, enough about that. We’re all about positive thinking, remember?”

“Right.”

“Come in.”

They walked into the main part of the big, open room where four stations were set up to the specifications of each artist. “This is my area.” He gestured to the deluxe table he’d saved up for over two years to buy and then special ordered from the mainland. It had arm and leg rests that made his customers comfortable while he worked.

“Do people usually know what they want when they come in?”

“About half the time they do. For those who just want something, we have books over there full of designs to give them inspiration.”

“So the person picks what they want and then what?”

“We discuss the design until I’m sure they’re happy with it, reminding them several times that there’s not really a do-over once it’s done. For instance, I discourage people from tattoos with boyfriend or girlfriend names.”

McKenzie laughed. “Probably a good call.”

“They always think they’ve found ‘the one.’ I’ve had a few people come back to have them altered after the breakup. I always want to question spouse names, too. Like, are you sure this marriage is solid before you put it in permanent ink?”

“I never would’ve thought of any of that, but you make good points. I bet people don’t love that question.”

“They don’t, but I ask it anyway.”

“What happens once you’re settled on the design?”

“I run the design through a thermal printer, which spits out a template that I apply to their skin after it’s cleaned, shaved and prepped. The template peels off, leaving an outline of the design that I then fill in with the ink we’ve agreed to ahead of time. Sometimes people want all-black designs. Other times, they want color.”

Was he talking too much and giving her more info than she wanted?

“That’s when the needles come into it, right?”

“Yep. And we have a bunch of different sizes and types, depending on what the design calls for.”

“It must’ve taken years to figure out how to do this.”

“About a year before I was fully trained and comfortable with flying solo. I was lucky to have a great teacher who then helped me to buy him out when he retired. He set me up with a very nice life here.”

“That’s so great. I’m sure you worked your butt off to deserve that kind of help.”

“I did, but I loved it from the start, so it was a good fit for me. I love the camaraderie with the other artists, and the customers are fun, too. We get a lot of vacationers and first-timers looking to do something a little crazy—by their standards, anyway. They’re so excited, which makes it fun for us.”

“I’m sure that is fun. Other than the breakups, do they ever regret it afterward?”

“Not that we see. They’re usually still high on the adrenaline of it when they leave us. If they regret it, that probably happens after they get home. You want to see some of my stuff?”

“I’d love to.”

He gestured for her to take a seat on the sofa. “That little guy must get heavy after a while.”

“He does. He’s not so little anymore.”

“You need one of those stroller thingies.”

“I had one at the cabin. Maybe it survived the collapse.” She pulled a blanket and some toys from her backpack and put them on the carpet for Jax to play with.

Duke sat next to her, bringing his leather-bound portfolio. “If it did, we’ll find it and clean it up for him.”

---